HOOVER, Ala. - For the first time in history, the South Carolina Gamecocks are not talking about being a recruiting class or two away from contending for the SEC title.

When Brad Scott's debut season ended with the Gamecocks' first-ever bowl victory in 1994, optimists thought he needed a few more impact players to make some real noise. That noise turned into a resounding thud as South Carolina went 16-27-1 for the rest of his tenure.

When Lou Holtz beat Ohio State in back-to-back Outback Bowls after the 2000 and 2001 seasons, fans wondered what he would do with a full complement of players. The answer was more mediocrity, as the program slipped to 16-19 in his final three years.